AFF Gathers: In Melbourne!! [1-3 August 2008]

[JohnK]

Funny you should say that....

Well there you go. And I left work early to get to the airport a few hours before my flight....

 

[Alanslegal]

Enjoy the drinks tonight

See you ALL tomorrow (if I make my pre-sunrise award DJ flight).

 

[straitman]

A good night of chatter with eight (I think) people present. Pity they didn't pay the power bill before everyone arrived :!:

 

[Flashback]

I was pooped, so came back to my hotel - but now I'm not tired.. :evil:

Pondering what to do for the next few hours!

 

[straitman]

I was pooped, so came back to my hotel - but now I'm not tired.. :evil:

Pondering what to do for the next few hours!

Flashware,

Having just left the venue (half hour ago) there were still 4 there settled in. Maybe give QG009 a ring and see if the party is continuing.

For me it's snooze o'clock.

 

[Mal]

BBC was a pub with no beer for a little while last night. I arrived about 6:50, saw oz_mark and chatted till we could identify some other AFF'ers around the place.

I think they started allowing sale of bottled beer around 7:30 and the power was back about 7:45. I headed back to the hotel after 9pm - twas an early one for me. Feel like a piker! Glad some kicked on till the early hours (and their heads are probably still kicking right now )

I'll see those who are going to the Eureka Skydeck there, otherwise at either lunch or dinner tonight.

 

[munitalP]

Work has left me stranded unable to attend... hope you all have a good time while I freeze my bollocks off in SA


Mr!

 

[Flashback]

BBC was a pub with no beer for a little while last night. I arrived about 6:50, saw oz_mark and chatted till we could identify some other AFF'ers around the place.

I think they started allowing sale of bottled beer around 7:30 and the power was back about 7:45. I headed back to the hotel after 9pm - twas an early one for me. Feel like a piker! Glad some kicked on till the early hours (and their heads are probably still kicking right now )

I'll see those who are going to the Eureka Skydeck there, otherwise at either lunch or dinner tonight.

10am was too early for me to start today, there's no way I'm giving up my Saturday morning sleepin

I may end up being free during today now, so might head out for lunch.. should know in an hour or so.

Edit: heading out to Mornington, so will see you all at dinner.

 

[straitman]

10am was also to early for us :shock: so heading to the lunch venue shortly.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

I'll join you for the coffee this afternoon.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

What time is Brunch on Sunday?

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Flashback]

Hi there

What time is Brunch on Sunday?

Cheers
DJ737

10.30am @ Greasy Joes

 

[straitman]

The verdict:!:

Lunch was excellent. Those who missed out were definately the losers.

Coffee with QF009 & DJ737 was great. Not quite the tiniest coffee shop I've ever seen but certainly right up there.

A great day all around so now off to dinner. MORE food yippee :shock:

 

[Mal]

Sat Lunch was indeed great. A nice modern funky restaurant with great food.

The Industry Dinner was also good. Thanks to Luisa Megale (AMEX) and Phil Gunter (Velocity Rewards), who instead of spending Sat night with their friends and family decided to come join us, put up with our weird questions and give us a bit of information about what is happening in the industry.

I'm currently at the MEL J Dom waiting for my 11:30 dep flight. Pretty quiet in here, so if anyone is going to be around either in the QP or the J lounge, let me know.

Hope people have fun at the Sunday activities.

 

[Flashback]

I'm at Greasy Joe's now... but there's no one here ??

Edit: maybe I misunderstood ... people are catching the tram at 10.30, so should be here 11? :O

 

[Flashback]

All good, Keith is here

 

[serfty]

The footy today is at Telstra Dome

I suggest meeting somewhere nearby ~1pm.

Thinking about this; maybe the corner of Bourke and Spencer streets (at the bottom of the steps).

If any probs, please contact me (i've PM'ed my 'phone to those attending).

 

[oz_mark]

I made it to the industry dinner, which was a well attended, and the informative comments from the guests especially around where our wants collide with commerical realities seemed appreciated by all.

It would be a welcome part of any future AFF gathering!

 

[Kendall Roy]

A great dinner.

Congrats to all involved!

 

[anat0l]

Currently in MEL J Lounge waiting for my CBR flight.

Really nice decor and less than half full; you could swing a few cats here right now. Excellent view of the tarmac on all sides of the airport. The normal QC is more than half full, but definitely not "no-seating-room". Too bad I can't get used to this.

Food is normal, although the cream of mushroom is great. Definitely much different to the mushroom water typical of NZ QCs; Blackcloud (FT) would lap up this stuff.

Another post to come in CBR time permitting; kudos post will be organised tonight when I get home. But I'll start by at least saying thank you to everyone who attended for making it a great inaugural AFF gathering. Even though I really only attended one event, I think it was a great opportunity to meet people from AFF (cf. DOs, e.g. OzFest, from FT).

EDIT (1752 +1000 GMT): In CBR QC for the first time (and in CBR airport for the first time for that matter). Really small departure area - reminds me of NZ QF domestic departures at AKL, except add a service counter in the departure area and double the size of the QC. There is hot food of sausage bites wrapped in pastry and dim sims.

Nice and quiet actually even though the lounge is about 40% full (was fuller until a bunch of SYD Swan supporters in full regalia boarded their Bombadier Q400 to SYD).